Church of God News

“Oh, how I would like a poor Church, and for the poor.” http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/16/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316

He spoke again a few days later, on March 19, 2013:

Concluding his homily, Pope Francis emphasized the role of the Bishop of Rome as one who is called to protect Jesus and Mary, creation, each person, in particular the poorest.

At the end of the Mass, Pope Francis approached the statue of the Virgin Mary while the choir sang the Marian hymn, Salve Regina.  http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-be-protectors-of-god-s-gift

Some in Poland are wondering what Francis meant:

Pope Francis doesn’t preach the enigmatic and at the same time the ultimately undemanding “idea of destitution.” Instead, he speaks straight from the heart: he wants a poor Church, for poor people.

What does this mean? It may seem obvious, but for Polish bishops this new vision may present some very real risks — something like a grenade that must be defused.

This is how a vision of a poor Church is understood by Polish auxiliary Bishop Wojciech Polak: The Church has always appealed to solidarity with poor people. What we have to remember is that the Church isn’t a charity organization, but rather a community that essentially preaches for the salvation of poor people. Of course, the Church is also called upon to bring help, but mainly it should be spreading the gospel. It is not focused on satisfying tangible needs, because different organizations can do that.

This is true, we must agree, but is it enough? “Solidarity with the poor” and “preaching salvation” are not enough if the Church doesn’t demonstrate by its activities that is close to the poor. This is what the Pope was thinking when he decided, at least for now, to continue living in Vatican’s modest hotel, Santa Marta.

The Church that talks about the need to tend to the destitute but itself wallows in luxury is simply not worthy of trust…

Wallowing in luxury Tadeusz Rydzyk (a Roman Catholic priest and Redemptorist, who runs the conservative and controversial Radio Maryja radio station) amused everyone in Poland when he declared that he doesn’t possess anything himself because all of his things belong to the Redemptorists.

There are also some parishes where the priests directly express their dissatisfaction with receiving no contributions from their parishioners. There were recent reports about clergy “buying” good parishes of wealthy laity.   http://www.worldcrunch.com/dossier-the-next-pope/poland-039-s-church-struggles-to-follow-pope-francis-039-message-of-humility-and-poverty/gdansk-polish-church-pope-francis-poverty-gospel/c8s11395/#.UWsEhEr_FrQ

The Bible tells about an unfaithful harlot church that wallows in wealth (Revelation 17:1-9, 18:7).  Apparently, some of the Poles feel that happens related to various members of the Catholic clergy.

As far as Pope Francis himself, he also said:

As you know, there are various reasons why I chose the name of Francis of Assisi, a familiar figure far beyond the borders of Italy and Europe, even among those who do not profess the Catholic faith. One of the first reasons was Francis’ love for the poor. How many poor people there still are in the world! And what great suffering they have to endure! After the example of Francis of Assisi, the Church in every corner of the globe has always tried to care for and look after those who suffer from want, and I think that in many of your countries you can attest to the generous activity of Christians who dedicate themselves to helping the sick, orphans, the homeless and all the marginalized, thus striving to make society more humane and more just.   http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/francis-address-to-diplomatic-corps

Will he take specific steps, such as wealth redistribution?

What if Pope Francis sells off some of the vast treasures (such as jewels and land) of the Vatican and/or give significant amounts of money/land away to the poor?

If he does that, this will likely greatly enhance the pedophile-damaged image of the Church of Rome for the media and many others around the world. This will enhance the appeal of the religion that Rome will promote.  Even if it gives away only 1/2 of its vast wealth.

The Bible warns that the whole world will profit financially from the final end time Babylon (Revelation 18:9, 15-19).  And in addition to trade, giving away wealth and land–in conjunction with the final King of the North (Daniel 11:24, 39), that the final Antichrist will support–will be a factor in the temporal success of this condemned system.

Interestingly, prophecies from at least least two Catholic saints teach that the final Antichrist will give away wealth to get people to support the false end-time Babylonian system:

Saint Ephrem (died 375): Antichrist will use worldly goods as bait. He will entice many Christians with money and goods to apostatize…The devil will help him find all the hidden treasures of the world, even those at the bottom of the ocean. With those treasures he will attain greater success for the reign of Satan than at any other time in past centuries (Connor, pp.73.74).

Saint Mechtilda (died 1299): Antichrist will, through base and false strategem, and with presents of gold and gems, attain influence over the worldly princes. They will look up to him as their Lord and God (Culleton, The Reign of Antichrist, pp. 133-134).

Notice the similarities between the acquisitions from Orthodox and Roman sources. The final Antichrist, or his predecessor, may well distribute vast amounts of wealth, which will increase followers to his professed faith. The final Beast will also divide lands (Daniel 11:39). Also, remember that according to the Bible, one accumulating all that wealth is not good (Daniel 11:36-45).

Could Pope Francis directly or indirectly support this?  If he gives away enough assets, it would seem so.

As I have written before, the last pope will, at least initially, claim to be Roman Catholic. The last pope will use the Church of Rome for his own purposes and then betray it. The Bible warns about a wealthy and unfaithful church based in Rome (Revelation 17:3-6;9,18)–and that it will be betrayed (Revelation 17:16:18).

Pope Francis also said the following:

One of the titles of the Bishop of Rome is Pontiff, that is, a builder of bridges with God and between people. My wish is that the dialogue between us should help to build bridges connecting all people, in such a way that everyone can see in the other not an enemy, not a rival, but a brother or sister to be welcomed and embraced! My own origins impel me to work for the building of bridges. (Francis Pope.  Francis’ Address to Diplomatic Corps. March 22, 2013.  http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/francis-address-to-diplomatic-corps)

This was a pagan title.  Notice the following:

Priest Herman Kramer (20th century): This false prophet…His assumed spiritual authority and supremacy over the Church would make him resemble the Bishop of Rome…He would be Pontifex Maximus, a title of pagan emperors, having spiritual and temporal authority. Assuming authority without having it makes him the False Prophet…Though he poses as a lamb, his doctrines betray him (Kramer H.B. L. The Book of Destiny. Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956.Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 319).

Is Pope Francis the last pope?

If he is, he seems to be taking steps consistent with that. But if he is not, if he does distribute assets of the Church of Rome to the poor, this will help the pope who would follow him.